Honest Update

[Michael]

Okay guys, here's an honest update on the December 2022 MAAC closure of flying clubs, as related to TEMAC.

1. Without question and without exception, all flyers at TEMAC must have their Basic RPAS license to fly a model aircraft at TEMAC. It is the responsibility of each RPAS-licensed TEMAC member to follow Transport Canada rules, including having your models registered with registration numbers clearly visible on the model, and all other rules.

2. All flyers must have paid memberships in TEMAC and MAAC.

3. It is now confirmed that we have non-MAAC liability insurance for TEMAC members, only at the TEMAC field.

4. I have it on reliably-good authority that it is likely that TEMAC with receive a Safety Operating Certificate (SOC) from MAAC soon (hopefully well within 3 weeks). Only then will full MAAC insurance be in effect. Unlike the above non-MAAC insurance, MAAC insurance will also cover you at other locations where you have permission and are allowed to fly (other MAAC clubs, private property, cottage, etc.)

5. I am in an awkward situation, where I can't officially open our MAAC-affiliated club until we get our SOC, but I also cannot stop anyone from flying legally and insured (but not by MAAC). The field is still wet, and should be in better condition in a few weeks. If you can wait, please wait. As soon as we receive our SOC, I'll make a formal announcement opening the field. When a nice weather day is available, we'll be having a celebratory barbecue, free to all members.


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If anyone has any questions, or is of the opinion that I am wrong about something, feel free to post in this thread.

[Michael]

The number of views of these posts, suggests to me that not all TEMAC members may be aware of these changes.

I will send out a proper email to all members once we receive or SOC from MAAC.

Please speak to, and inform, your flying friends about what is happening.

[ppalumbo]

This is great news Michael!!  Thanks for the update

[Gregor77]

Thank you!

[GuyOReilly]

Thank you Michael and all the executives for your hard work during these difficult times.
We now are faced with a new reality and a new way of doing things; however, all rules must and will be complied with to ensure continued enjoyment of our hobby.
Best regards,
Guy O'Reilly

[Michael]

More to the point.

- The TEMAC field is in uncontrolled airspace.

- According to Transport Canada, (even though we are within 3 nautical miles of an aerodrome), we are allowed to fly at the location/field of TEMAC, with RPAS licenses and registered models.

- According to our new non-MAAC insurance policy, TEMAC members (paid for 2023, and with RPAS licenses), are allowed to fly at the location/field of TEMAC, even if MAAC's insurance is not in full effect.

- According to MAAC, we are not yet allowed to fly at the TEMAC location/field, because they have not given us a Safety Operating Certificate (SOC), which is a MAAC requirement, but not a requirement of Transport Canada nor of our non-MAAC insurance.

- We have not received our SOC yet. This is because we are just within 3 nautical miles of an aerodrome. According to communication with MAAC, the SOC rules will requires some modification, but should be coming soon (days, weeks).

[Wingnutz]

Debated whether to post this here or not...
I fly with the Kawartha Lakes Radio Control Flyers and our field is more than 3 nm from the closest aerodrome. We received our SOC from MAAC earlier this week. Our neighbouring club, Peterborough, is within 3 nm of their closest aerodrome and as of yesterday hadn't received their SOC.
TEMAC's turn can't be far off.
Not sure how much of a bonus it is to have our SOC though. Our field and the almost half mile of driveway are still buried under a foot of soggy snow and historically don't dry out until May or June ( one year it was July!)

[davidk]

This is what an Operation Approval from NavCanada looks like.  This is simply to show that our field is in Uncontrolled Airspace, and NavCanada gives our field an "Allowed" status.  The details in the Operation are interesting to read.  The 4 Positives indicate why the Operation is allowed.  This Operation is not required for flying at TEMAC.  No one has to do this.  I created this Operation only to show that we are legally able to fly at TEMAC according to Transport Canada and NavCanada.  Michael's post clearly states the situation with MAAC and the SOC.  MAAC is creating a set of rules over and above TC.

[sihinch]

Hey David, so please can you clarify why you're posting that? Is it because that's what we'd all need if we chose to fly at TEMAC without our SOC?

Or would we need one of those even with the MAAC SOC, in addition to our RPAS certificate and drone registration?

Honest question. Thanks in advance! (Getting a little confused!)

[davidk]

Hey Simon,

No one has to create an Operation to fly at TEMAC.  I created this Operation only to show that we are legally able to fly at TEMAC according to Transport Canada and NavCanada.

This is simply to show that our field is in Uncontrolled Airspace, and NavCanada gives our flying area an "Allowed" status.  Plus, the details in the Operation are interesting to read.  The 4 Positives indicate why the Operation is allowed.  Creation of an Operation is not required for flying at TEMAC.

Michael's post clearly states the situation with MAAC and the SOC.  MAAC is creating a set of rules over and above TC.

[sihinch]

Thanks David. Super helpful. 

[davidk]

In TEMAC's case, we are 2.72NM from TEMAC Pilot Station to Markham Airport paved runway centre.  It doesn't really matter how you measure, we're always within 3NM.

However, there are no TC rules governing distance from a Registered Aerodrome... and Markham Airport is a Registered Aerodrome.